Picture of the Week #509 "Here's Looking At You" Thimphu, Bhutan 2000 Signed & Stamped

Again I am posting an image from our trip to Bhutan, the small tiny nation North of India, East of China and South of Tibet. Everyone there wear colorful garb. The men are all in sneakers. Mind you I was there 18 years ago this month and they had just begun to have television. There are no traffic lights in the country. Also no booze. We had our wine brought in. Then it was ruled by a 48 year old King who happened to have gone to Harvard. His degree for his people is happiness. There is free medical care and little crime. An extraordinary nation. It has never been invaded even though it is surrounded by powerful and sometimes aggressive nations. 

Picture of the Week #508 "Use Me" Thimpu, Bhutan 2000 Signed & Stamped

When I turned 60 a good friend of ours in Gstaad Switzerland said she wanted to take us for my birthday. All we had to do was meet her in Delhi India and the rest was on her. So off we went. There were only five us. My friend, her then then boyfriend who was also a very dear friend and another woman and a guide. We had a small mini van and off we went. We travelled through the still unknown country to my friends back home. Everyone wore colorful striped outfits and sneakers. Mind you this was 18 years ago. The King was 48 years old and had gone to Harvard. His degree for his people was happiness. Also plastic was forbidden and there were no traffic lights. A Policeman stood on the corners directing traffic. It was a fabulous trip where I got many photos. In those days I only shot 35mm transparencies. So I had no idea if my pictures turned out till I got home and had the film developed. Lucky for me they turned out and here is one of them. 

Picture of the Week #507 "Nuns Nuns & More Nuns" Rome, Italy 1990 Signed & Stamped

I was going to title this image "Preaching to the Choir" but obviously decided against it. I tried posting this image the first thing this morning but I had computer issues. I tried for three hours. I was beyond frustrated so I went to meet my magnificent wife for lunch and to get away from the computer. I also contacted a good friend of mine who actually reads the instruction booklets. I don't. I just jump right in. After lunch he was gracious enough to come over and help me. Most of the things he did worked, some did not. I declared in a fit if anger and frustration; "that's it! I'm done". He left. Now that he is gone and I am finally calming down I was able to post this image that I have had for 27 years. One day I will know how to manipulate and post properly. Hopefully that day comes soon. 

Picture of the Week #506 "Vhal Infront of his Painting" Los Angeles, California 2016 Signed & Stamped 

When I went downtown a couple of years ago with my friend and Art dealer Eliane Gans we met with James who goes under the name "Vyal", a local street artist. He's a big hulking and rather intimidating presence but once you get to know him he's a giant pussy cat. I don't know if he'll like that description but I immediately liked him and any negative thoughts quickly dissipated. He was very amenable to having me take his picture. This painting that he had done was on the front of a large building that housed artists's makeshift studios. When I asked him to pose for me he responded by doing so without one word spoken. I love the juxtaposition of the hulking artist and his colorful painting. 

Picture of the Week #505 "Kissed From Behind" Malibu, California 2008 Signed & Stamped

We took our friend and my biggest photo collector Meridith Baer out to lunch for her birthday in Malibu overlooking the ocean. When a trio of people who I presume are in show business sat at the next table. I couldn't help but take a picture of the woman's hair. At the table she began singing along with the music in the restaurant and I felt she has to be an entertainer. It was not a great stretch as she later stood up and sang. Later when she went out onto the beach she adorned her lovely face with a a pair of Dolce & Cabbana initialed sun glasses. She stepped out into the water holding her phone in the air and not worrying that her clothes were going to be wet. A free spirit.

Picture of the Week #504 "Mummy Watch" Paris, France 2003 Signed & Stamped

I couldn't resist posting this picture today as we are going off to Paris and Egypt in October & November. This photo was taken back in 2003 just before I went digital. Obviously I liked the composition and the expression on the walking man's face. I don't remember what brought us to Paris but suffice it to say that I think of Paris as our second home as we are frequently there. My dear wife Ann's birthday is near the end of October and I wanted to surprise her by taking her to see the Pyramids. But the trip is too extensive to keep it a secret so I told her. At first she didn't seem to be thrilled. But when she saw that the terrorism has subsided and that there are first class hotels she warmed up. I didn't mention the food. I was there back in 1989  but I only saw the pyramids and Cairo and this time I look forward to going down the Nile to Luxor and seeing what I missed the first time I was there. 

Picture of the Week #503 "Your Move" Moscow, Russia 1988 Signed & Stamped

Okay, I know this is the third image from Russia that I have posted in the last three weeks. As Russia has been so prominent in the news lately I thought I would do a nostalgic turn and head back to the Communist heartland and post these few images. As you may or may not remember I was there as part of a small celebrity group of film stars and makers to show our films. As I am a compulsive photographer I always hit the streets to see what the people are up to and to capture my memories on film and now digitally. I was the only one of the group who took pictures. It was way before everyone  had cell phones. I am putting an album together of the images I took while over there, but I purposely did not include the celebrities. They're for another time.